Losing passion for hobbies or other activities

OMG you sound just like me! My slump started when my parents passed (both in a 2 year span). It's been three years and I am finally getting motivated to start scrapping again. I haven't picked up a book in the last 6 months. If my family doesn't push me to go places I don't go, and forget about wanting to take pictures. I just feel so tired, uninterested and overwhelmed all the time.

I do suffer from hypothyroidism and SAD but this has been worse than anything I would normally experience. My turnaround has been when I started increasing my vitamin D intake. I'm noticing I no longer feel as tired, achy and unfocused. This past week I have had much more motivation and energy too. I actually have been sorting through my scrapping supplies and photo albums, getting excited about working on a project! You may want to ask your doctor to do some tests? It would be nice to rule vitamin D, iron and thyroid out as possible causes. A good dose of Spring wouldn't hurt either.

I am just curious. If you have stopped doing those things, what are you doing now to take up that time?

Definitely see a dr. and get blood work done to rule out a hormonal imbalance or vitamin deficiencies. It sounds like depression and depression sucks! (Been there, done that.) I find that exercise does wonders for my mental as well as physical health. Feel better soon! (((Hugs)))

This is exactly how my chronic depression begins to manifest itself, which is something I've dealt with for over 20 years. I also take vitamin D supplements daily, but they do little to help my depression unless I'm on an anti depressant as well, which is currently Zoloft. Definitely get some medical advice/care, and I hope you feel better soon!

When I get into a slump I try to set small goals for a project . I also like to quit. I tell my self if I get all the pieces cut out for a block then I will go and get a coffee. I also try to take classes to spark creativity and it gets me out of the house!

I would start by taking vitamin D supplements and using light therapy.

If that didn't help, I would see my Doctor.

It has been a LONG COLD winter, hasn't it?

This was me, but it happened when I got divorced. That was about 2 years ago and I'm finally feeling like doing crafty stuff again. Since you don't really have a major event that happened to precipitate the change, I would look into SAD. Alos, how old are you because if you are going into perimenopause/menopause--this could be causing it too. Definitely look into the Vitamin D3---and take A LOT---the RDA is way too low for most people. I try to take 5000 IU/day. Good luck, I hope you figure this out and start to feel better soon!

Leave it to the Peas to immediately diagnosis you with depression and prescribe meds. Just because they have it, automatically everyone else must have it too.

Your post resonates with me a bit. I'm 40 and have changed a bit in the last couple years. My drive at work, exercise, and house cleaning have all diminished. At work, I pretty much just go through the motions and fake interest, when in reality, I couldn't care less about the projects I work on.

I think I'm going through a mid-life crisis of sorts. I'm not depressed though. I've never been happier. I think I've just been lazy. No meds needed for that. I just have to give myself a good kick in the ass every once in awhile.

I wouldn't stress over this. But do see your doctor if you want to, of course.

I cycle through hobbies. So while scrapping may go by the wayside sewing is picking up the entertainment value. For me that is a life long trend and doesn't phase me. It will all come around again in time.

If I've lost interest in **everything** then I look to see if there are corollary life changes that are eating up my time/energy or creating stress. If yes, I work to make either deliberate changes so I have less stress or recognize it is going to be a season of quiet unrest and just hang with it. Right at this moment I am looking to change jobs and the stress of the unknown is being a bit of a damper.

If I can't identify anything then I know I'm sliding into a depressive episode and take appropriate steps that start with healthier eating and forcing myself to get some moderate exercise...... if that doesn't turn things around a visit to my doc is in order since I do have a history of depression.

I think this is my problem...I've gotten lazy 

I wouldn't be too quick to assume depression. You seem to have had some life changes, you're reaching 'that' age, it's been a long winter for many of us too....lots of possible factors. Also, could boredom be part of it? Being a parent can be somewhat suffocating for some people depending on other factors. Losing passion for hobbies can just be life, plenty of people do that without being depressed including me.....we change, lose interest in some things and might discover new things.....maybe you can find something new to try. I hope you get some ideas to follow up on and feel better soon 

This thread is so timely for me as I find myself effected by this lack of motivation just like some of you. Know that I am much older than most of you so there is that component of aging. I am also a widow so that adds to this.

I used to do so much. But with my dh gone I find that my motivation is just not what it was. With dh having dementia I was pretty much home bound for years so for me hobbies were so much a part of my life. Actually my quilting, sewing and knitting were a part of what kept me sane through those many dark days. Now that I am no longer a 24/7 caretaker I find that time lays heavy on my hands.

Grief plays a part definitely for how and what I am feeling, but that is getting easier to deal with. However, I find myself just not interested in achieving as much as I used to in years past.

I have upped my intake of vitamin D. And I am working on making a list of just three things I want to do each day. That seems to be helping me.

I think we as women just go through so many cycles. Some we recognize. Some we don't. We wear so many hats that are constantly changing with the circumstances of our lives.

I have found that each time I have a birthday with a "0" in it there are changes. Some profound/major. Some very subtle.

I have made a concerted effort lately to stop watching so much of the news. All that is going on nationally is so scary and it makes me feel so helpless. I watch my local news each evening then do a quick check on what is going on nationally about once a week to keep up. I find that the constant drum beat of negativism really plays with my emotions where as 10-15 years ago it would have just been part of the way life was.

It might be a good time for a check up with your doctor. Hope you feel better soon. Let us know how you are feeling. So many of us are sitting on that bench right there alongside of you!!!

I can sympathise with you on the can't be bothered feeling. When my parents died within 5 months of each other 12 years ago I definitely had situational depression. Looking back that probably lasted a few years.

When my kids moved to Scotland 3 years ago and I was an empty nester I felt so worthless. My DH is a great guy but he works fairly long hours and living abroad is just not the same as home. I also have a live-in maid so not having distractions like housework just led to me wasting my life away on the internet. I was miserable and it was a sad time for me.

One day about 18 months ago I was annoyed at myself and looked into volunteering. I have now been a Meals on Wheels Driver, twice a week since then Initially I chastised myself because I had committed to something I wasn't sure I could actually commit to. What if I couldn't find the energy or impetus to actually do it? Well for me it has really helped, I have not missed a day yet. I am up, dressed and out by 8.30am and when I finish I feel a sense of achievement. That little push has really changed my attitude. I started crocheting (I think JustT on here was doing a Granny Stripe blanket and that inspired me) and I have crocheted almost 5 lovely blankets for my family Once I finish number 5 which is for my great niece I will be crocheting scarves and blankets for orphans, cancer patients and lepers in Vietnam. I am excited about life again

Obviously if you have some chemical imbalance you need to see a Doc but if you can make that first move to committing to volunteer for something, even for a short time, it might help to break the dreaded internet curse.

I wish you well and keep us posted.

Ps Sorry, this reply turned into more about me and me reaffirming myself. I sincerely hope you feel better soon.

I agree with cropduster...it DOES sound like depression. Take it from someone who has BTDT - SEE a doctor. If it is depression, he may prescribe medication to help you deal with it. It could be a vitamin deficiency, too, but all the symptoms that you're experiencing sound like depression. Wishing you the best!